Recordings

Best Classic Bands offers smart, informed and unbiased assessments of the latest rock album releases and reissues to offer readers guidance on what sounds they might enjoy.

Fleetwood Mac, Live and Flying High: Review

This is consistently remarkable stuff, and serious Mac addicts can be forgiven if they want all the versions they can get.

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Pretenders’ ‘Relentless’: Winning New Music From One of Rock’s Great Singers

The album’s punchy rockers and lilting ballads uphold Hynde’s reputation as one of rock’s greatest and most emotive vocalists.

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The Doors’ ‘Live at the Matrix’ Showcases the Band in 1967: Review

Recorded in concert before they had any hits, the performances reveal a band that was fully formed from the onset.

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John Mellencamp’s Dark But Rewarding ‘Orpheus Descending:’ Review

The Rock Hall inductee doesn’t sound like he did at his peak, but his new album is heartfelt and contains several understated numbers.

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‘March of the Flower Children’: A Rock Anthology Focuses on 1967

If you lived through the late ’60s, this album will spark fond memories and also expose you to some great rarities that passed you by.

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Talking Heads’ ‘Stop Making Sense’ Expanded: One of the Best-Sounding Live Albums Ever

After 40 years, ‘Stop Making Sense’ in all its forms remains ineffably compelling and still feels fully modern.

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Elvis Presley ‘Wows’ With Expanded ‘Aloha from Hawaii’: Review

Presley sings as well as ever in the Hawaiian concert and seems fully engaged with the material, including songs not on other live releases.

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Joni Mitchell’s Triumphant Return to Newport: Review

Having Mitchell back on stage and singing these tunes so beautifully with stellar accompaniment seems like some sort of miracle.

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Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Prolific 1969

A magnificent box set commemorates CCR’s run when they released 3 great LPs and had a string of hit singles, all in one remarkable year

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Eric Clapton’s ‘24 Nights’ Dramatically Expanded Edition: Review

While attention focuses almost exclusively on his guitar work, this set offers plenty of reminders of what a fine vocalist Clapton can be.

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